The ku klux klan started in December of 1865 and extended into almost every Southern state by 1870. It became important for white southern resistance to the Republican Party’s reconstruction era policies made to establish political and economic equality for black Americans. From 1867 and onward, Black participation in public life in the south became one of the most radical aspects of reconstruction. Black people won election to southern state governments and even to the US Congress. The Ku Klux Klan dedicated itself to an underground campaign of violence against Republican leaders and voters both black and white. This was in order to try and reverse the radical reconstruction and try to reinforce white supremacy. People help them such as the Knights of the white Camellia and the white brotherhood. At least 10% of the black legislators elected during the 1867-1868 institutional conventions became victims of violence during reconstruction including seven who were killed. People who stood up for them were also attacked or targets for an attack.
